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MANHATTAN — The path of progression up the depth chart on Kansas State’s football team has been typical for linebacker Charmeachealle Moore.

He saw a bit of action, primarily on special teams, as a freshman in 2012. Last season he played in every game with more time on defense, primarily in third-down situations as a pass-rushing defensive end.

As his junior season approaches, Moore is poised to take his place in the starting unit at outside linebacker.

“I’m just happy wherever the coaches want to put me in,” Moore said. “If they want me to play center, I’ll go hike the ball. I’m trying to play with more energy and produce on the field and help my team out.”

Moore’s quickness is suitable to rush the quarterback, and he hopes to still get chances to get in the opposing backfield. But the 6-foot, 217-pound junior from Dallas is finding a home at the strong-side SAM linebacker for the Wildcats, who conclude spring practice with the Purple/White Game at 1:10 p.m. Saturday at Bill Snyder Family Stadium.

“I can’t get away from that; I love rushing the passer,” Moore said. “I played D-end in high school so I like both of them. I like linebacker because I can see a lot more, so I guess you could say I like it better.

“The biggest thing is making sure my alignment is right and getting my drops right when I look around my area to see who is around me.”

Wildcats coach Bill Snyder believes Moore is prepared to make the leap from a situational player to an every-down linebacker.

“He has progressed,” Snyder said. “He still has an awful lot of improvement to make but he has been reasonably consistent in the improvement that he has made, the knowledge he has of our defense and being able to react to things in a reasonable fashion.”

Senior Jonathan Truman is a returning starter at the other outside linebacker spot while sophomore Will Davis is slated to start at inside linebacker.

“John has a great deal of experience and an understanding of what our defense is about,” Snyder said. “He does a nice job not just tying the second level guys with the front four but tying the entire defense together with the secondary. He provides great leadership, which is growing. He’s becoming a more vocal and more demanding leader because he recognizes a need for that.

“Will understands the defense extremely well. He has the capacity to be able to tie things together between the front four and the second three. We’re just trying to get him to that spot where he can just turn it loose and go.”

Other linebackers in the mix for playing time include senior Dakorey Johnson, a juco transfer last season, and redshirt freshman Isaiah Williams. Fall arrivals include two prized juco signees in D’Vonta Derricott and Isaiah Riddle.

“It’s real competitive,” Moore said. “Everybody wants to play so we’re just trying to put ourselves in the best position to play. I think we’re improving on all cylinders. We’re always running to the ball with high-octane energy and doing what we need to do covering the pass, stopping the run, stopping the draw.

“At K-State we always uphold the legacy of having great linebackers. We’re trying to keep the legacy moving on.”

SPRING FORMAT — Snyder said he hasn’t “totally made up my mind” how to split up sides for the spring game but will likely, as in the past, have the starting offense and defense on one team against the remainder of the squad.

“The odds would be in favor of it being No. 1 offense and No. 1 defense being on the same unit,” he said. “There is a possibility we could put our No. 1 offense on the same side as our No. 2 defense, and vice versa.”

As for players being held out of action Saturday: “I won’t make that decision until we get into Thursday or Friday, but there is a possibility.”